Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-18
DEAD In AN ALLEY.
A WIFE Hks A DREAM WEIGH Is
NEARLY REALIZED.
Mystery Attending the Finding Of a
pead Body in Brophy's
Alley, &c.

A colored man named Mat. Taylor
was found dead in Brophy's alley near
the Chesapeake and Ohio depot yes
terday morning under circumstances
not yet fully explained.
Prophy's alley runs parallel with
Broad street and is between that tho
rouehfare and Marshall street and
Seventeenth street and the railroad
track.
THE DECEASED.
Taylor lived at No. 120 north
Twentieth street, was about fifty years
of age, was married, and worked at
tobacco-factory. Wednesday night
about So'clock he left home, telling his
wife that he was going on Church Hill
to attend a meeting of his assembly OF
knights of Labor. Whether he
actually went to any such meeting Is
not known. He took with him from
home $3.50 in money, thirteen cents OF
which was found on his person.
The wife of the deceased says that
he suffered from heart-disease and
asthma, and when troubled with short
ness of breath would loosen his clothes.
THE BODY.
Taylors body was found in the alley
by Mr. William Melton. Ii was lying
face downwards the overcoat was about
but not on the body. He lett home
wearing a vest none was found on the
corpse. His suspenders were not over
bis shoulders, but hung down from his
trousers. He had on two pairs OF
drawers. and neither were buttOned.
His trousers were buttoned only at the
waistband.
He was found almost in front OF the
shanty of Hester Gath, but there Is
nothing known to connect her with his
death.
Near by where he lay was large
stone fixed in the earth, and few
inches from it was small pool OF
blood. There was no other blood in
the alley except what oozed from a
wound over Taylor's eye when his re-
mains were moved from where found.
The wound was over the right eye,
almost in the eyebrow, was about half
an inch long, and did not reach to the
bone. The skull was not fractured.
The wound is readily accounted for if
he fell on the stone, was not a severe
one. and could hardly have caused
death. If he fell dead from heart
disease it is likely he received it as be
struck the ground or the stone.
A wIFE's DREAM.
Soon after the body was found Coro-
ner Taylor was notified and imme-
diatcly went to the spot. He saw that
the man had been turned over on his
back and learned that he had been
identified as Taylor.
4 msn went to tell Taylor's wife oi
the fate that had bcfallen her husband.
She said at once that she knew what
the man came for "My husband Is
dead. | dreamed last night that his
head was split open and that he was
killed"
Later on, when visited by the Coro-
ner, size told the same story, adding
that on Tuesday night she had dreamt
that her husband had been chOked to
death. This dream she related to de-
ceased, who grumbled with her for let
ting her mind run on such things.
From all that could be gotten from
her she lived quite happily with her
husband. She admitted that some
times he INDUCED in drink, and in
years gone by She knew he had been
dissipated in other respects.
INQUEST.
As yet there is no reason to suspect
that the man. .came to his end by muir
derous hands. If his vest can be dis
covered that may throw some light on
what is now somewhat of a mystery
None of the people in Brophy's alley
will admit that they knew anything Of
Taylor Wednesday night.
III l. l., oo,.ria1 20 JaoaocaG'o